It is rare for global footballing icons to visit Nepal. There have only been a few instances when the legends of the game have graced the mountainous country. The English phenom David Beckham arrived in 2015 for a documentary project and played the beautiful game with local wannabes in Bhaktapur. The Japanese midfielder Keisuke Honda was in Kathmandu in August last year for a game representing Bhutan’s Paro FC. Honda made headlines by calling the Bhadrakali ground ‘a joke’, complaining about the suboptimal training facilities provided to him. When the Italian legend Gianluigi Buffon, widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers to play the game, arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday, he too touched upon the country’s lack of proper infrastructure. “I want to see Nepal play in the Asia Cup and the World Cup,” Buffon said amid a continuous shout of ‘Gigi’ by a group of Italy fans in Nepal. “You need to invest in infrastructure, such as stadiums, to push the guys to play football. This is too important. You need to dream big and walk to achieve it. Forca Nepal!” Buffon, a key member of Italy’s World Cup-winning squad in 2006, is in Nepal with his wife, as the chief guest for the final game of the 3rd KP Oli Cup. “It was a result of regular effort and communication that we could bring the legend, Buffon, to Nepal,” said Kshitij Thebe, chairperson of the Nepal Youth Federation, organisers of the football tournament. “We are happy to have him here.” Machhindra FC, winner of the past two editions of the KP Oli Cup, will play against Tribhuvan Army FC to defend their title at Dasharath Rangasala in Kathmandu on Monday. Buffon, who spoke to journalists at a function organised upon his arrival, said that he was excited to watch the game. https://kathmandupost.com/football/2025/03/03/dream-big-forca-nepal-legendary-goalie-buffon-in-town